eCite Digital Repository
International students' social engagement and social wellbeing in an Australian regional area
Citation
Yue, Y and Le, Q, International students' social engagement and social wellbeing in an Australian regional area, The International Journal of Health, Wellness, and Society, 2, (3) pp. 119-132. ISSN 2156-8960 (2013) [Refereed Article]
![]() | PDF Not available 316Kb |
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 The Authors
Official URL: http://ijw.cgpublisher.com/product/pub.198/prod.11...
Abstract
The extent of social engagement with the local community is closely related to international students’ sociocultural
and psychological well-being, but the relevant literature shows that most students have inadequate or poor
engagement with the host society. This study, in the context of a university in an Australian regional area, examines
various factors related to these students’ engagement with the local community and society. Both quantitative and
qualitative data were collected respectively by questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The findings show that
cultural differences, inadequate language competency, intercultural understanding, religion, psychological worries, and
racial discrimination are six salient barriers obstructing international students’ positive and effective social interaction.
The limited contact with the local community is significantly associated with the international students’ negative
emotions, including homesickness, loneliness, anxiety and depression; and demographic factors such as age and gender
are not significantly related to their social engagement, but length of stay and English proficiency in the host country
have a significant impact.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | Social Well-being, Racial Discrimination, Acculturation, International Students |
Research Division: | Health Sciences |
Research Group: | Health services and systems |
Research Field: | Health services and systems not elsewhere classified |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Yue, Y (Dr Yun Yue) |
UTAS Author: | Le, Q (Dr Quynh Le) |
ID Code: | 84372 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Deposited By: | UTAS Centre for Rural Health |
Deposited On: | 2013-05-09 |
Last Modified: | 2014-05-08 |
Downloads: | 3 View Download Statistics |
Repository Staff Only: item control page